Why you should consider a stopover in Athens enroute to your Greek Island holiday destination

Greece has long been a much loved holiday destination for the British. In 2019 (the last full year without the travel restrictions imposed due to the pandemic), 3.5 million British tourists travelled to the southern tip of the Balkans for their vacation. The country is made up of around 220 islands and mainland Greece, which to the north borders Albania, North Macedonia and Bulgaria. Popular destinations for British holidaymakers include the islands of Corfu, Crete and Zante (Zakinthos), and in more recent years, Santorini, Mykonos and Kefalonia have become favoured as well. 

In addition to these is Athens, Greece’s capital city and the countries most visited location, welcoming a huge 6.3 million tourists in 2019. Athens is famous for its ancient ruins and historical sites, and also home to fabulous food and a vibrant nightlife, traditional markets and beautiful surroundings. From the UK you are able to fly directly to the majority of Greece’s islands and your holiday spot of choice, but if time permits, a stopover in Athens en route is definitely worth considering.

Athens has a warm Mediterranean climate. Due to dry hot winds breezing over from the Sahara, peak summer temperatures can reach 32°C. A more comfortable time to come, especially when you are travelling onwards to an island afterwards, is May into early June and then again in September, where temperatures are a much more pleasant 25-28°C.

Athens International Airport is located just over 16 miles from the city centre and will take approximately 35 minutes by car, 40 minutes by metro and 60 minutes by bus.

There are around 300 hotels in Athens, most situated in the centre; in Plaka, near the Acropolis, or around the Lycabettus Hill in Kolonaki, and around Parliament Square and Sygrou Avenue. Around 45 minutes away from the centre you will find hotels situated on the coast, an area known as the Athenian Riviera. Athens offers all the main hotel chains including Intercontinental, Hilton and Marriott to name a few, as well as many independent boutique hotels, suiting everyone’s tastes and demands. 

Athens is a great place for walking around so it is good to have that in mind when you are selecting your hotel. Although the city does have good public transport options, such as the metro and bus service, if you are located near enough to your tourist attractions of choice there shouldn’t be any need to use them.

Unbeknown to many, Athens is in fact home to hundreds of historical sites. These can be sometimes stumbled across and seen from a distance almost by accident when wandering around the city, whereas the larger and more famous sites are enclosed and you will be required to pay an entry fee. The Acropolis is usually the number one attraction to visit on most peoples lists. The settlement, built in the 5th century BC, was where royals and prestigious citizens resided. Its position, upon a hill above Athens was chosen for its defensive strengths. The Acropolis is made up of the remains of many different buildings, including the Propylaea, the grand entrance, the Temple of Athena Nike; and the most famous temple, the Parthenon. Entry to the Acropolis in the peak months of April to the end of October is 20 euros, apart from the 18th May which is international museum day, and the last weekend of September, when it is free (although likely to be very busy).

On your way up to, or back down from the Acropolis, you will likely wander into Plaka, the oldest neighbourhood in Athens, sitting on the north-east slope. Famous for its narrow, picture-perfect streets and local shops and boutiques, here you can pick up locally made clothes and traditional souvenirs. Within the narrow passageways and cobbled streets you will also find quaint cafes to stop for a Greek coffee or a lunch of traditional Souvlaki, (grilled meats) Saganaki, (fried cheese), and Tzatziki, a garlic and lemon yoghurt.

From Plaka, you can walk north for around 6 minutes and find yourself in another popular Athenian neighbourhood, Monastiraki. Named after a large monastery that once stood here, the area is now bursting with vintage clothing shops and the trendy Monastiraki Flea Market which is definitely worth a visit, trading everything from clothes, bags and jewellery, to ornaments and antiques, and even carpets and rugs. The main market runs every Sunday, although there are many shops and stalls here to visit on the other days too.

As the afternoon heat takes hold, an option for a break out of the sun can be found at the National Gardens, just 15 minutes to the west of the market. Seen as an oasis in the city, here you will find a large park offering shade and peace from the traffic noises and tourist bustle. 

In to the evening and another great opportunity to see the cities landmarks, this time from the many rooftop bars that are dotted around Athens. Most impressive is the imposing Acropolis, lit up against the night sky. Bars and restaurants with rooftops will all advertise their views at their entrances to entice guests, so don’t worry about not being able to find them anywhere. It is also very common to find a taverna with live music to enjoy with your drinks of choice, long into the evening. 

The following day, and if time allows before your departure, one last worthwhile excursion should be a morning climb to the top of Mount Lycabettus. Depending on fitness levels, the walk can take between 30 and 45 minutes. A moderately challenging hike up 909 feet might not be everyone’s cup of tea when on holiday, but the 360-degree views are simply breathtaking. From the top, you will see the nearby Acropolis of course, and other city landmarks you may have visited during your stay, and in the distance, the Aegean Sea will glitter on the horizon. Here at the summit, you will also find the Chapel of St. George, a cafe and a restaurant, (notorious pricey due to its stunning views!) If walking is definitely out of the question you are still able to visit the mountain top; the Teleferik is a cable car that runs from 9 am through until 1:30 am and takes just 3 minutes.

From the UK you can fly directly to Athens from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, as well as from Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh, in around 3 hours and 40 minutes.

Travelling by plane from Athens to your chosen Greek Island will take between 45 minutes and 65 minutes, normally with multiple flights scheduled per day. Alternatively, you may wish to try something a little different and continue your journey onwards by boat. An express bus will take you southwest from Athens City Centre to Piraeus Port in 50 minutes, where you can sail directly to nearly all the Greek Islands. Nearby islands will likely have both a high speed or standard ferry option. For example, the island of Aegina, which, as the closest island to Athens, will take as little as 45 minutes. Poros, again fairly close, will take anywhere from 1 – 2.5 hours. Mykonos, slightly further afield will take upwards of 2.5 hours. and islands beyond this will obviously take longer; Crete for example will take 6.5 hours, whereas a trip across the Aegean Sea to Kos will take 9 hours.